By Graham Huband

MORE THAN 200 names have been added to an on-line petition aimed at saving the full-time status of Balmossie fire station in Dundee.

Tayside Fire and Rescue Service are proposing to downgrade the station— which serves the Broughty Ferry, Barnhill and Monifieth areas—from a 24-hour station to one providing cover during the day only.

The move would allow the brigade to have a third appliance in Perth and provide a new tender in Forfar.

However, the possible downgrading of Balmossie has provoked anger among residents in the east end of Dundee who are concerned the plan will compromise safety in the event of an overnight blaze.

The Tayside branch of the Fire Brigade Union are co-ordinating a campaign to have the plan shelved and have been out leafleting people in Broughty Ferry.

A web page outlining the FBU’s concerns about Balmossie has been set up and a number of businesses in the burgh are displaying Save Our Station posters.

Lynn Morris, who runs Mayfair hair salon in Brook Street and lives in Forthill, contacted The Courier yesterday to say she was horrified by the prospect of services at Balmossie being cut.

She said, “Having a business, having two young children and knowing a lot of the elderly people in the area who come into my salon and have been talking about it, my feeling is that is an absolute disgrace.

“If they take 10 minutes longer to get to a fire then that could make the difference to saving somebody’s life. I feel really strongly about this.”

An online petition accompanying the Save Balmossie Fire Engine website had gathered more than 200 names from concerned local residents by last night.

The FBU campaign is being co-ordinated by former firefighter Eddie Thomson, who served for 31 years until his retirement this year.

Mr Thomson said his personal experience working at Kingsway East and Balmossie fire stations left him deeply concerned by the proposed downgrading and the effect it would have on public safety.

He said the plan must be dropped and his determination to see that happen has been bolstered by the “overwhelming” concerns of residents.

He said, “If this fire engine is taken away it will be a disaster for the area.

“We have had a fire station on a full-time basis at Balmossie and at Broughty Ferry for as long as I can remember.

“If Balmossie goes part-time at night then turnout times to fires have to be increased.”

He added, “We are getting an overwhelming response from the local people who are up in arms over this.”

He added, “We think Mr Hunter is making a mistake. Hopefully the fire authority will not just endorse the wishes of the chief fire officer.”